Map of England showing where the Grimes arms are recorded
The Grimes arms were recorded in London, c. 1575.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Grimes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Grimes Family in England
The surname Grimes is rooted in the ancient Norse name Grímr, which translates to mask, helmet, or hidden one. During the Viking Age, this name spread across Northern Europe and eventually took hold in England as a patronymic, meaning it was used to identify a person as the son of a man named Grímr. By the time the family appeared in London records in 1575, the name had evolved into its modern form through centuries of linguistic changes. Families bearing this name were often part of the growing urban population in Elizabethan England, where they likely worked as tradespeople or merchants during a period of significant economic expansion. The name reflects a deep connection to early Germanic and Scandinavian naming traditions that survived the transition into the English language.
Grimes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Grimr
Old Norse term meaning mask, helmet, or a fierce person.
This name
GrimesA patronymic surname derived from a nickname for a fierce or masked individual.
also spelled
Grymes
Gryme
Related arms
Grymevariant spelling
Grymesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
